HOUSTON – An off-duty deputy constable is recovering after he was attacked by two dogs in northwest Harris County.
Shannon Farrier was in her garden Friday morning when two unexpected visitors suddenly appeared -- a pair of honey-colored dogs.
"They weren't aggressive or anything. I just told them to go home and they left," Farrier said.
No more than 30 minutes later, Farrier saw squad cars across the street. Her husband told her their neighbor, an off-duty deputy constable, had been attacked by dogs in his backyard. That's when she put two and two together.
"After I heard what happened I felt really lucky they didn't do anything to me. If I had known they were pit bulls, I think I probably would have freaked out," she said.
Harris County Animal Control tells Local 2 the deputy was bitten on the left hand while trying to stop his dog from being attacked by the pair. He was able to scare one of them away. Police say he grabbed the other dog by the collar because it lunged at him.
"He kept the animal at bay while he retrieved his service weapon and once he had his weapon he still tried to get the animal off of him," Lt. Wayne Schultz said.
Police say the deputy had no choice but to open fire, shooting and killing the dog.
At some point, the dog's owner showed up and according to animal control, he got involved in the struggle and was also bitten.
"Bad owners. I don't blame the dogs. I really don't. Every animal can bite. It's how you train them. You gotta take care of them," said a neighbor.
We are also told the dog's owner went to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. It's not yet clear if the dog's owner will be cited or face charges.